The whisper-soft fabric of the nightgown swirled around Eva’s damp thighs as she climbed the stairs. The minute she’d arrived home, she’d raced up to her bedroom, stripped off her clothes and put it on. When the nightgown had slid over her breasts, her nipples had puckered in anticipation. Nick would love this.
She’d been right. His stunned expression when she’d appeared had heightened her arousal by several degrees. And ramped up Nick’s. By now she could read him like a book. The tense set of his jaw and the clench of his fists told her he was struggling to maintain his gentlemanly poise.
He mounted the stairs behind her, his breathing ragged, his steps purposeful. She didn’t need to glance over her shoulder to confirm that his hot gaze was pinned to the sway of her hips and the nearly transparent nightgown shifting over the swell of her backside.
When had she ever had this much fun in a sexual relationship? Never. Her reaction to Nick’s physicality bordered on shocking. Last night in the claw-foot tub she’d explored him from head to toe, fascinated with every inch of his magnificent body.
She planned to revisit all her favorite spots again tonight, but she’d have to wait until he was sated and relaxed. He was neither of those things as he followed her up the stairs.
She led him into her candlelit bower—fresh sheets on the bed, covers turned back, pillows plumped. Flickering flames in glass votives on the windowsill and the dresser gave the room an ambiance that no lightbulb could achieve.
The votives were a last-minute addition. She’d changed the sheets earlier in the day, but if he’d been any earlier, she wouldn’t have had time to light and arrange candles. They set the tone she was looking for.
She turned to him and spread her arms. “Here you go. Your move.”
His gaze swept the room and came to rest on her. “I’d like to start by kissing you.”
The rasp in his voice sent a delicious shiver up her spine. “Be my guest.”
Stepping forward, he framed her face in his calloused hands. “Thank you for this.”
“My pleasure.”
“I’ve been waiting all day.” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “Longest day ever.”
“Mm.”
“Thought nine o’clock would never get here.” He touched down on one cheek, then the other, and moved on to her chin. At last he zeroed in on her mouth.
He nibbled and teased, taking his time, yet a current of urgency simmered under the surface, heightening the tension. Combing his fingers through her hair, he cradled the back of her head and tilted it back as he kissed his way along her jawline to her ear.
He tugged on the lobe with his teeth. “You don’t wear earrings.” His breath was warm, tickling her ear. “Why not?”
“Never liked them.”
“Good choice. They get in the way.” He trailed kisses to her other ear and nuzzled her neck. “You smell wonderful. Are you wearing—”
“No.”
“Pheromones.” He ran his tongue around the outer shell of her ear. “I can taste ’em.”
“Cannot.” Her breath came faster.
“Can so.” He licked his way down the curve of her neck to her shoulder. “Tastes like chicken.”
She laughed, then dragged in a breath as he slipped the thin strap off her shoulder.
“And you’re delicious.” He nipped playfully at her skin. “This is five-star dining right here.” He ran his tongue along her collarbone, paused to explore the hollow of her throat and moved across to the other shoulder.
When he slipped that strap off, the bodice lost traction. As it eased downward, he shifted his attention to the slope of her breast. Coaxing the straps lower, he gradually uncovered her nipples.
“Just what I was looking for.” He leaned down and drew one quivering tip deep into his mouth.
She moaned and clutched his head. This.
Sucking gently, he pushed the straps a little farther and the nightgown slid from her body, the smooth material lightly caressing her sensitized skin on the way down. Releasing her breast, he scooped her into his arms and laid her on the bed.
The cool sheets beneath her stood no chance of staying that way as his hot gaze stroked her from head to toe, fanning the flames of arousal. She shifted restlessly. “I need you.”
“I need you more.” He swallowed. “So beautiful.” Breaking eye contact, he bent to pick up her nightgown. “I don’t want anything happening to this.”
Her heart melted. She would have left it on the floor and worried about it later. “You can hang it on the hook on the closet door.”
After locating the straps, he slipped them carefully over the hook. Then he leaned against the dresser and pulled off his boots. “I’ve never seen you in candlelight.”
“We had candles during dinner last night.”
He smiled. “This is a little different.” He stuffed his socks in one of his boots and reached behind his back to grasp the neck of his T-shirt.
“You’re wearing those for me, aren’t you?”
He tugged it over his head and down his muscular arms. “Yes, ma’am. You said you liked the look and I need every advantage I can get.” He started to put his shirt on the top of the dresser, glanced at the candles and hung it over one of the bedposts, instead.
“I’ll admit I’m a sucker for you in a tight T-shirt.” She admired the dance of candlelight on his broad, lightly furred chest. “But I like this look even better.”
He met her gaze and held it as he took a deep breath. “Glad to hear it.”
The intimacy of his low, gentle voice filled her with longing. She rolled to her side, eager for his touch, his kiss, his warm body melding with hers.
His breath caught. “Dear God, when you look at me like that…” Shoving his hand into his pocket, he took out the condoms he’d brought. “Take these. If I put ’em on the dresser they could catch fire.” He started to hand her all of them, then held one back.
Putting it between his teeth, he quickly divested himself of his jeans and briefs. Then he ripped open the condom, dropped the packaging on the floor and sheathed himself. “I’m done being neat.”
She scooted over to make room for him. “Good, because I—”
“I know.” He climbed into bed and eased her to her back. His voice was hoarse. “I know.” Moving between her thighs, he slid the tip of his cock into her slick channel, and with one sure thrust, buried it deep.
She wrapped him in her arms, treasuring his solid strength, the perfection of this moment, the wonder of Nick.
His intense gaze locked with hers as he began to move. He didn’t ask her what she wanted this time. His instinctive understanding of what she needed thrilled her.
She caught his rhythm and rose to meet each stroke, the liquid sound of their joining a sensual music she craved. Deep within her core, the spring wound ever tighter. Her pulse raced and her breathing grew shallow.
With unerring skill, he chose the moment to increase the pace. His eyes darkened and his lips parted as he coaxed her quivering body closer and closer to the brink. Then he bore down and she came apart with a jubilant cry.
But he didn’t stop. Shifting his angle, his breathing harsh, he kept going, catching her as the spinning slowed and hurling her back into the center of the whirlwind.
Gasping and crying out, she came again, her fingers digging into the muscles of his back as she bucked in the grip of a second powerful orgasm. He added his cry to hers, driving home one last time and shuddering against her, claiming his release.
Braced above her, he dipped his head and gulped for air. “Incredible.”
“Uh-huh.” She caressed his sweaty back as the beating of her heart gradually resumed a normal rhythm and she could breathe without gasping.
He was still panting when he eased away from her and left the bed. “Don’t go away.”
“Don’t worry.” Impressive that he could summon the energy to take care of the condom. She couldn’t move if someone paid her to do it.
Her eyes drifted closed. Each time was better than the last. Surely they couldn’t keep improving on this activity forever, but so far their lovemaking kept going steadily up the chart.
Nick returned and slipped back into bed.
She opened her eyes to find him propped on one arm and staring down at her with a look of fierce concentration. “My goodness.” She used her finger to smooth the furrow above the bridge of his nose. “Why so serious?”
“Because I have something to say and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
A chill passed through her. “Then don’t say it.”